By John Kusolo
The 21st edition of the Federation of East Africa School Sports Association (FEASSA) Games is set to be an exciting spectacle, especially in the Boys’ Football category. The games, which kicked off on August 16 and run until August 27, will be hosted across multiple venues in Bukedea and Mbale City, Uganda. Among the most anticipated matchups is that of defending champions St. Mary’s Kitende, who find themselves drawn into the same group as the co-hosts, Bukedea Comprehensive School, promising an electrifying start to the tournament.
*Kitende's Title Defense: A Challenging Path*
St. Mary’s Kitende (SMASK), the reigning champions from last year’s tournament in Huye, Rwanda, are in Group A alongside Bukedea Comprehensive School. The co-hosts, who have home advantage and local support, will undoubtedly be a tough opponent. Group A also features Kenya’s St. Joseph’s Boys Kitale and Highway Secondary School, alongside Tanzania’s Benjamin Mkapa Secondary School, making it one of the most competitive groups in this year’s tournament.
*Group B: A Battle of Champions*
The competition is equally fierce in Group B, where Amus College School, the other co-host, is drawn against St. Julian High School Mukono, the reigning Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) national champions. They will face off against APE Rugunga Secondary School from Rwanda, Kenya’s Musingu High School, and Tanzania’s Kalangala Secondary School. The stage is set for some thrilling football as these teams vie for a place in the knockout rounds.
*Bukedea: The Heart of FEASSA 2024*
This year’s FEASSA Games mark a significant milestone for Bukedea District, particularly Bukedea Comprehensive School, which serves as the main stadium. The school, owned by Rt. Hon. Anita Among, the Speaker of Uganda's Parliament, has seen considerable investment in sports infrastructure, transforming it into a premier venue for the games.
In a recent interview on Mama Bukedea Radio, Rt. Hon. Anita Among shared her vision behind the significant investments in sports infrastructure at Bukedea Comprehensive School. She emphasized that Uganda is brimming with untapped talent but lacks the necessary facilities to nurture it. This realization motivated her to build a state-of-the-art sports complex aimed at helping young Ugandans develop their talents, compete globally, and boost Uganda's representation in the Olympic Games.
*A Showcase of Sports Excellence*
The FEASSA Games 2024 go beyond football, featuring a diverse range of sports, including basketball (3×3 and 5×5), netball, rugby (7’s and 15’s), handball, athletics, swimming, tennis, volleyball, table tennis, and badminton. To accommodate the various disciplines, additional venues around Mbale City will be utilized, ensuring that all athletes have the opportunity to showcase their skills on the best stages available.
As the FEASSA Games 2024 get underway, all eyes will be on Bukedea, where some of the region's best young athletes will battle for supremacy. With St. Mary’s Kitende defending their title in a challenging group and local teams like Bukedea Comprehensive School and Amus College School striving to make their mark, the tournament promises to be a memorable event, not just for the players and schools involved, but for the entire East African sports community.
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